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Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster
Released On: May 21, 2021
76
7.7
Where to Buy
Where to Buy
Metascore
Generally favorable
Based on 36 Critic Reviews
76
64% Positive
23 Reviews
23 Reviews
31% Mixed
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
3% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Metascore
Generally favorable
Based on 36 Critic Reviews
76
64% Positive
23 Reviews
23 Reviews
31% Mixed
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
3% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Quite possibly one of the greatest RPGs ever made, Nocturne has stood the test of time and demands to be played.
Despite being almost 20 years old, Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne is still one of the best JRPGs. The deep story and challenging gameplay make a great foundation for this definitive version.
User Score
Generally favorable
Based on 50 User Ratings
7.7
72% Positive
36 Ratings
36 Ratings
12% Mixed
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
16% Negative
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
User Score
Generally favorable
Based on 50 User Ratings
7.7
72% Positive
36 Ratings
36 Ratings
12% Mixed
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
16% Negative
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
The following paragraph is a post I made for Reddit, so it isn't necessarily a review, but more so a list of things that might be a deciding factor for whether you buy this HD Remaster. in summary it covers topics such as SMT 3 HD vs the original PS2 release, the Dante as paid DLC controversy being not that big of a deal, the uncompressed OST mod for the Switch and PS4 versions, and the Base $50 version vs the Deluxe $70 version . Without further ado, here is the post I made on Reddit:
Since SMT 3 HD is a lot more expensive than the ps2 version, getting SMT 3 HD over SMT 3 PS2 really comes down to how much worth you value voice acting (that can be set to English, Japanese, or turned off), a suspend save feature, merciful (easy-mode) difficulty, and the optional manual skill inheritance. If you don't know what manual skill inheritance means, it is a quality of life feature exclusive to this HD Remaster that allows you to manually choose which skills a demon that resulted from fusion gets from the demons used as fusion materials. In the PS2 release of SMT 3 the skills were determined randomly with no input from the player. Another thing that may influence your decision to buy the HD Remaster is that they updated the localization for SMT 3 HD to be more accurate and readable in certain places; however, in very specific dialogue lines it adds questionable modern slang. Though, I need to stress that this questionable modern slang is very few and far between, and it may not be that big of a deal to you. Also, something worth noting is the PC and Switch versions of SMT 3 HD have a uncompressed soundtrack mod that is currently in development. You can find this uncompressed soundtrack mod here: ****/wips/56149 (If the link doesn't work just go to ****/games/10084 and search for the mod titled "HD Audio for HD Ears").
Graphically speaking, not much has changed beside a few textures being more HD'er and lighting changes. One interesting thing that doesn't get enough attention is that if you were to play on PCSX2 with a 16:9 patch, the UI elements get stretched (so things like circles become ovals), whereas with SMT 3 HD they redid the UI for the 16:9 aspect ratio.
If you decide to buy SMT 3 HD, don't buy the $70 deluxe version. The deluxe version is a complete rip-off. It adds 2 grind dungeons that are completely pointless since SMT 3 isn't even that much **** game, and even if you do want to grind, you can just download the free easy-mode DLC and change to that since difficulty can be changed at any point. The deluxe version also adds 2 tracks from SMT 1, SMT 2, SMT 4, and SMT 4 Apocalypse, respectively. This is seriously not worth it if your playing SMT 3 for the first time. On top of that, it is only 2 tracks at a time. The only semi-worth it paid DLC that comes with the deluxe edition is the Dante from the Devil May Cry series DLC, but that doesn't even matter that much because he is replaced by Raidou from Devil Summoner (the protagonist from another game from the MegaTen franchise). Raidou and Dante move-set wise are identical; the only difference that they have is the cutscenes, which doesn't even matter since you can just look up online. It's also worth noting that you can't use both Raidou and Dante on the same save file, without making a NEW GAME. Also, you can just buy the Dante DLC separately if you really want him.
One more thing, I need to talk about in regards to SMT 3 HD is the fact that the PC version, and only the PC version, allows you to play the original 2003 (previously Japan-exclusive) version of SMT 3 HD. You can view the changes made here. Note that the Maniax version was the version that was released outside of Japan, so basically everything added by the Maniax re-release, the vanilla version doesn't have. Maniax Chronicle was a late 2008 re-release that has all the inclusions of Maniax, but replaced Dante with Raidou. If you are playing on PC and you want all the inclusions that the Maniax Chronicles version has, (which is basically everything Maniax added, but with Raidou instead of Dante) you have to download the free Chronicles DLC, and choose NEW GAME: CHRONICLE when starting the game for the first time. If you don't do this you lose out on all of the Maniax additions and Raidou. Alternatively, you can buy the $10 Dante DLC, which adds the same Maniax additions, but with Dante instead of Raidou. Note that you don't have to do this if you buy the PS4 or Switch version. The Switch and PS4 version automatically has the free Chronicles DLC, and all you have to do is choose NEW GAME.
Overall, I think SMT 3 HD is the better version, but it really isn't super worth it if you already played the PS2 version. Again, it comes down to how much you value voice acting and manual skill inheritance relative to the price you are paying for the HD Remaster.
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PlayStation 4
Incredible! One of my favorite PS2 games and one of the best JRPG's of all time. Atlus never dissapoint us
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PlayStation 4
Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster is an apocalyptic blast from the past that goes beyond what we could have hoped for in celebration of the cult classic. This isn’t your typical HD remaster, as Atlus has went back and recorded an astonishing amount of voice work, something that wasn’t even in the game to begin with. They also cleaned up some of the visuals, even though it still looks like something that’s nearly twenty years old. That’s on top of redoing the translation and ensuring we have both Dante and Radiou to choose from recruiting. There are aspects that don’t necessarily hold up today in its combat and exploration, especially considering the maps are linear, but if you’re in it for just the story, you’ll be in for a treat with the new Merciful difficulty. Whether you’re a hardcore fan or a curious observer, Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster is a classic worthy of being in any RPG player’s collection.
They say that some things never change, and in the case of SMT3: Nocturne, that statement applies 100%. For the most part, this is perfectly okay, the game is a product of its time, and for those looking to crack open the time capsule, either for the first time, or as a returning fan, they’re sure to find something that speaks to them, but given what we’ve seen in the remaster space lately, it’s also hard to not wonder what else might have been possible.
Shin Megami Tensei III is the best game in the series, but it deserves more than what this remastered version offers in technical department.
Considering how much ground the Shin Megami Tensei franchise has gained in its efforts to court fans in North America since Nocturne first released, the game, in retrospect, feels like a harbinger of things to come that went unheeded. Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster pushes the game to new levels in terms of quality and accessibility, allowing fans the chance to fully appreciate its heady, post-apocalyptic, coming-of-age story on their terms. That's an opportunity they should not miss.
This game has such a rich history and I sincerely wish this remaster reaches people who appreciate it or who never had access to it before – after buying it on sale, of course.
Review Shin megami tensei hd good skills Hard demons fights demi-fiend very good.
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PlayStation 4
Nocturne è un videogioco di nicchia, adatto solamente ai fan della serie. Difficilmente potrà piacere ai videogiocatori "moderni" o a chi non ha dimestichezza con i dungeon crawler vecchio tipo. Noctune non è un gioco così difficile o punitivo come viene descritto. E' un RPG molto classico. Quasi anacronistico. Io però l'ho trovato frustrante. L'encounter rate è molto elevato e ciò significa imbattersi in molti incontri casuali. Inoltre certi dungeon sono più snervanti che complicati. Una cosa che ho notato è che il gioco non ti spiega assolutamente nulla. Neanche come funziona il Press Turn. Solo parlando con i vari NPC puoi ottenere qualche informazioni. Le caratteristiche dei nemici non sono neanche specificate e occorre imparare a memoria le loro debolezze/resistenze.
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PlayStation 4
I need to mention I’ve played Persona 2-5, both Persona Q games, and 4 different SMT games. This is the only Atlus game I wouldn’t recommend.
I wanted to love this game but it’s just too basic and outdated, including the writing. This is the first SMT or Persona game I’ve played where the story wasn’t great enough to make up for any flaws. It just doesn’t have that SMT/Persona magic. Even Persona 2 (which came out LAST CENTURY) has all the personality of Persona 5.
Even if you love another SMT or Persona game you played, I don’t recommend this, even at a discounted price. It’s **** basic in every way. The dungeons are just blank hallways with nothing in them, the story (and added voiceovers) is painfully low effort.
It pains me to say it, but just don’t give time or money to this game. I regret it.
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PlayStation 4
It's literally just a PS2 game, it's clunky and looks hideous, the story is shallow, you just walk around a dull wasteland and do turn based battles, thoughts I'd like it because of Persona but I didn't I rarely drop games but I dropped this a few hours in
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PlayStation 4
played this game first time one worst game ever played and Worst RPG ever made
dungeons are garbage
no alignment system
characters are lame only Likeble is Jyoji Hijiri
i was expection very deep aligment system people keep telling smt have it but nope what a disappointed
port is fine on ps4
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PlayStation 4
Summary Reawaken your inner demon in a modernized version of the acclaimed ATLUS classic, Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster. What begins as a normal day in Tokyo turns out to be everything but, when the Conception – an ethereal apocalypse – is invoked. The remains of the world are swallowed by chaos, as a demonic revolution descends in...
Rated M
for Mature
Platforms:
- Nintendo Switch
- PlayStation 4
- PC
Initial Release Date: May 21, 2021
Developer:
- Atlus
Publisher: Sega
Genres:
